Sessions offered in the Yakimovich Wellness Centre are virtual or in-person and free.
We hope these sessions:
If you require any assistance with creating an account or registering with Learning Hub, please contact Liz McCarter at Elizabeth.McCarter@islandhealth.ca.
Title: The Space Between – a play and discussion about Senior Safety to Scam Prevention (this is an in-person only session)
Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Location: Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Presenter: A joint presentation by Target Theatre Society, (has been doing plays on seniors’ issues for over 30 years in (Victoria and B.C.) and Constable Berle Zwaan, from the Saanich Police Department Community Engagement Division
Session Description: Everyone is invited to come and watch theatre happen in the Yakimovich Wellness Centre, with Target Theatre acting in their play about scams that impact many seniors. After the play, a presentation Constable Zwaan will present ways in which we can empower and protect ourselves and your loved ones with practical techniques to increase your financial and technological safety. This session will cover aspects of scam and fraud safety.
Title: Improve your Strength and Balance to Prevent Falls
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Presenter: Karla Marshall, Physiotherapist, Seniors Outpatient Clinic, Island Health
Session Description: In this session you will learn:
Title: Cellular Senescence in Human Aging: An Update
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Ed Ishiguro is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at University of Victoria (UVic). Recipient of UVIC Alumni Association Harry Hickman Award for Teaching Excellence in 2006. Co-author with Natasha Haskey and Kristina Campbell of textbook entitled Gut Microbiota - Interactive Effects on Nutrition and Health, Second Edition, published in 2023.
Session Description: Senescent cells are those that remain viable but have irreversibly lost the ability to proliferate. The accumulation of such senescent cells in aging tissues is a hallmark of human aging. Progress in developing therapeutic drugs that target senescent cells will be discussed.
Title: Pen to Paper: Renewal of life through a private, written narrative from your heart
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Presenter: Bill Israel, Certified Facilitator, the Intensive Journal ® writing method since 2016 with coordinating and facilitating programs around Greater Victoria such as, Family Caregivers of BC, The Umbrella Society and The New Roads Therapeutic Recover Community (Our Place Society)
Session Description: Everyone is welcome to attend this introductory session about the Intensive Journal Program, developed by world renowned, Dr. Ira Progoff PhD (1927-1998) in collaboration with Dr. Carl Jung.
You will have the opportunity to:
Title: Introduction to Advance Care Planning – Two Part Series
Dates: Monday March 18 and Monday March 25, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (both days)
Presenters: Gabi Townsend, Advance Care Planning volunteer with Island Health. Prior to this, Gabi worked with Alzheimer’s BC – Victoria Resource Centre supporting families impacted by Alzheimer’s/Dementia, which included sensitive conversations about planning for the future. Liz McCarter, Coordinator Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Session Description: We plan our birthdays, weddings and even dinner – so why don’t we plan out health care? Advance Care Planning lets you have a say in the health care you will receive if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Everyone is welcome to attend this information session about what is an advance care plan, why it is important, how to get started and resources you can use to learn more about advance care planning. Discussing and documenting your wishes with your loved ones and health care providers mean they will be better able to speak on your behalf when needed.
Title: Taking the Mystery Out of LGBTQIA2S
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Presenter: James Gardner, many Victorians know James from his many years as news anchor for CFAX Radio. James began his career in his early 20’s as Sheila Gardner working as a radio broadcaster in Edmonton and Vancouver before coming out publicly as a transgender man in Victoria. James is newly retired after spending 42 years in his chosen field and is happy to share his journey to finding his authentic self.
Session Description: James Gardner will share his coming out story as a transgender man late in life and what it means to live your life as your authentic self. There will be discussion about gender and sexuality and how these concepts differ. What does the acronym LGBTQIA2S and other terminology mean? Why correct pronouns are important.
Title: Keeping your Brain Healthy
Date: Friday, March 22, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Presenter: Danielle Thompson, Occupational Therapist, Seniors Outpatient Clinic and Cognitive Health Initiative and Kristen Nikolejsin, Occupational Therapist, Seniors Outpatient Clinic and Specialist Memory Clinic, both with Island Health
Title: Get the Facts about MAID
Date: Friday, April 12, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Presenter: Debrah Beukes, MAID Coordinator, Palliative and End of Life Care, Island Health
Session Description: In this session you will learn about:
Register for this session
Title: Seeking Supports: Tips on Having a Good Medical Appointment and How to Access Minor Ailment Pharmacy Services
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Presenter: Michael Smith, 2nd year medical student from University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Island Medical Program
Session Description: In this session you will learn about:
Title: Medicine in the News: Ozempic and Other GLP-1 Agonists for Diabetes and Obesity
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Presenter: Michael Smith, 2nd year medical student from University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Island Medical Program
Session Description: In this session, you will learn about:
Title: Men’s Shed: Creating Belonging and Social Connections
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Presenter: Brendan Haws
Description: Men's Sheds were developed in Australia by a group of older gentlemen who were looking for purpose and connection in their lives. The concept of Men's Sheds has grown to many parts of the world, in Canada and in several locations throughout B.C.
Brendan, the presenter is keen to develop Men's Sheds in Greater Victoria create opportunities for men of all ages to build positive relationships, learn together and create a sense of community.
Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about Men's Sheds and how they can have a positive impact on our community. If you are curious about Men’s Sheds – register for this session.
Learn the benefit's of Men’s Sheds
Title: Recent Progress in Development of Effective Probiotics for Treatment of Gut Disorders
Date: Thursday, January 25, 2024
Time: 9:30 -11:30 a.m.
Location: Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Description: Claims that live bacterial cultures known as probiotics are beneficial to human health dates back over 100 years, but scientific validity of these claims is inconclusive. This talk will summarize recent progress on development of probiotics for treatment of recurrent C. difficile infections.
Title: Chronic Pain Self Management Program
Dates: Thursdays, February 8 – March 14, 2024 (six consecutive weeks)
Times: 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Description: This free six-week trained peer led program helps people living with chronic pain better manage symptoms and activities of daily life. Participants receive the “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain” companion book and the “Moving Easy” CD.
You will learn about:
Registration is through Self-Management BC. Register at 1-866-902-3767 or visit www.selfmanagementbc.ca.
Title: Getting to Know Dementia
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Presenter: Alzheimer’s Society of BC – Victoria Resource Centre
Description: This introductory session reviews basic information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and the impact of receiving a diagnosis. Participants will learn about the different types of support available throughout the dementia journey, and how to begin planning for the future. People with a diagnosis of dementia, care partners and family members are all invited to attend.
Title: Chasing Sleep
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
Time: 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Yakimovich Wellness Centre
Presenter: Luther Court Community Health Centre, Occupational Therapist, Pam Hood Szivek
Description: Many Canadians report they don’t sleep well. Come learn from an Occupational Therapist about sleep: What does healthy sleep look like, and how does it change throughout the lifespan? What interferes with sleep and what can I do to support better sleep? Although the presentation will also touch on common sleep disorder diagnosis and treatments, the focus is on modifiable factors in your daily life.
If you require any assistance with creating an account or registering, contact Liz McCarter, Elizabeth.McCarter@islandhealth.ca.
